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The Great Gatsby — Chapter 8 — Page 10

It was Jordan Baker; she often called me up at this hour because the uncertainty of her own movements between hotels and clubs and private houses made her hard to find in any other way. Usually her voice came over the wire as something fresh and cool, as if a divot from a green golf-links had come sailing in at the office window, but this morning it seemed harsh and dry. Ive left Daisys house, she said. Im at Hempstead, and Im going down to Southampton this afternoon. Probably it had been tactful to leave Daisys house, but the act annoyed me, and her next remark made me rigid. You werent so nice to me last night. How could it have mattered then? Silence for a moment. Then: HoweverI want to see you. I want to see you, too. Suppose I dont go to Southampton, and come into town this afternoon? NoI dont think this afternoon. Very well. Its impossible this afternoon. Various We talked like that for a while, and then abruptly we werent talking any longer. I dont know which of us hung up with a sharp click, but I know I didnt care. I couldnt have talked to her across a tea-table that day if I never talked to her again in this world. I called Gatsbys house a few minutes later, but the line was busy.